Is it normal being hungry all the time?

[Anonymous]

I’m breastfeeding my first ( 13 days) and I feel like my hunger is out of control. I’m often always hungry and never full for super long. I used to be able to eat every 4-5 hours and now I’m eating what seems like every 2-3 hours. I asked my doctor about this and she said only need an extra 500 calories a day. I tracked my calories one day and I ate almost 2800 calories. We are checking my thyroid but I don’t know what else it can be. How bad is hunger while breastfeeding?

[Anonymous]

Ravenous. I admittedly eat like a bird normally but I eat atleast double the calories I normally do while breastfeeding.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ravenous. I admittedly eat like a bird normally but I eat atleast double the calories I normally do while breastfeeding.

I normally eat in about 1800 calories so I have added an extra 1000 calories. I’m eating a lot of healthy foods and I’m still hungry after 2-3 hours. I went form eating 4 times a day to eating 7-8 times a day.

[Anonymous]

I ate constantly and lost a ton of weight while breastfeeding. With my first I was about 10 pounds below pre pregnancy weight when I stopped nursing when she was 18 months. The lightest I’d been since high school! I looked terrible. Anyway I just couldn’t eat enough.

Don’t worry, I gained it back when she weaned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ate constantly and lost a ton of weight while breastfeeding. With my first I was about 10 pounds below pre pregnancy weight when I stopped nursing when she was 18 months. The lightest I’d been since high school! I looked terrible. Anyway I just couldn’t eat enough.

Don’t worry, I gained it back when she weaned.

I’m not focused on weight gain or losing the weight. I’m more focused on my doctor telling me I’m eating mouth and breastfeeding mom’s only need an additional 500 calories.

[Anonymous]

Normal. I’m a bottomless pit. I typically eat 3x per day and don’t really snack, but while breastfeeding I get weak and lightheaded if I go a few hours without food. Then I can eat a pretty large meal and still not be satiated. It’s exhausting honestly.

[Anonymous]

It’s so early days, I would make a note to talk to your doc about it at your next checkup (some women it’s 6 weeks and some it’s sooner) but I remember also being soooo hungry those first several weeks because your body is also recovering a ton and your hormones are still adjusting. Practice patience with yourself, and if you can outsource healthy meals (Even someone to prepare oatmeal for you), nutritious food will really help your recovery.

[Anonymous]

What are you eating and how often? Experiencing an increase in hunger is normal, but even being satiated isn’t normal. The type of foods you eat also matters.

[Anonymous]

Do bloodwork (especially thyroid and glucose) just to be on the safe side, but yes, being hungry is normal.

[Anonymous]

It’s normal. Stop tracking your calories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you eating and how often? Experiencing an increase in hunger is normal, but even being satiated isn’t normal. The type of foods you eat also matters.

I try to stick to mostly nutritious foods. I do snack on less nutritious foods but I believe in balance. I try to eat protein, fat, and carbs at each meal and most snacks. I eat about every 2-3 hours.

Breakfast has been a greek yogurt bowl with fruit and granola + a piece of toast with avocado and an egg. A couple hours later I eat another hard boiled egg and some fruit. A couple hours after that I eat lunch which has been leftovers from dinner. A couple hours after that I eat an apple and cheese. An hour later I have a protein bar and a handful of trail mix. A couple hours after that I eat dinner. A couple hours after that I will have a lactation snack. I will eat another lactation snack and a protein drink throughout the night. I’m drinking a lot of water + one of the electrolyte powders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you eating and how often? Experiencing an increase in hunger is normal, but even being satiated isn’t normal. The type of foods you eat also matters.

I try to stick to mostly nutritious foods. I do snack on less nutritious foods but I believe in balance. I try to eat protein, fat, and carbs at each meal and most snacks. I eat about every 2-3 hours.

Breakfast has been a greek yogurt bowl with fruit and granola + a piece of toast with avocado and an egg. A couple hours later I eat another hard boiled egg and some fruit. A couple hours after that I eat lunch which has been leftovers from dinner. A couple hours after that I eat an apple and cheese. An hour later I have a protein bar and a handful of trail mix. A couple hours after that I eat dinner. A couple hours after that I will have a lactation snack. I will eat another lactation snack and a protein drink throughout the night. I’m drinking a lot of water + one of the electrolyte powders.

What exactly are you concerned about? You gave birth less than two weeks ago, your hormones are going haywire, you’re probably sleep deprived and also stressed since it’s your first. No none of that’s “healthy” but wtf are your expectations. You think it’s possible it’s none of those things and instead your body just decided to be diabetic at the exact same time you gave birth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m breastfeeding my first ( 13 days) and I feel like my hunger is out of control. I’m often always hungry and never full for super long. I used to be able to eat every 4-5 hours and now I’m eating what seems like every 2-3 hours. I asked my doctor about this and she said only need an extra 500 calories a day. I tracked my calories one day and I ate almost 2800 calories. We are checking my thyroid but I don’t know what else it can be. How bad is hunger while breastfeeding?

You’re good girl. You will be hungry! You will also lose weight.

I made one mistake of needing more calories and points, and doing..milkshakes.

Start with fluids like water and whole milk. Add calories too. Dense and healthy calories. Not 1,000 in milkshake calories like I did.

[Anonymous]

“And points” weird autocorrect. I don’t even remember was I trying to say fluids, energy, food?